Former Sportslotto staff deny charge, trial date set

The trial of four former employees of the Samoa Sportslotto has been deferred to May next year after they denied allegations of stealing from the Gambling Control Authority.

The four accused who have entered a not guilty plea to charges of theft as a servant in the Supreme Court this week are Lui Feseetai, Silika Hala, Leila Tonuu and Talosaga Wales Amosa. 

According to a charge sheet, Feseetai is accused of stealing more than $360 from the Sportslotto on separate occasions dating back to November 2019. 

Hala allegedly stole $110 tala on two separate occasions. 

The third co-defendant, Tonuu allegedly stole more than $300 from her employer and Amosa allegedly stole more than $370 from different branches he was stationed at. 

Away from the four former employees who have denied multiple charges of theft as a servant, five others have pleaded guilty to similar charges. 

Those that have entered guilty plea are; Telesia Brown, Ulalia Salufau, Pio Paepae, Masela Moananu and Tamara Asofolau Brown. 

Moananu allegedly took more than $600 while Brown is suspected of stealing more than $2000 from separate occasions dating back to August last year. 

The defendants that have entered guilty plea have been granted bail until their sentencing date in October. 

The defendants were the subject of a police investigation some time in July leading to the former employees being sacked. 

According to the Samoa Gambling Authority at the time, the former work colleagues allegedly manipulated the lottery products.